Casper Ware.

When he fires, United usually wins.

When he struggles, United usually loses.

That trend has continued through the Grand Final. He's got a week to get his body right, and I'll back him in to put in another big performance on his home court.

Casper Ware.
I have a side bet already on Creek but DJ has been the best for Adelaide so far.

LV and Hogwash - Ware? Unless he has a massive game and carries them over the line, he's been very ordinary in their two away losses as opposed to Prather's consistency across each game, keeping MU ahead or giving them a bite in games 2 & 4.

Ware's stats:
16pts, 2asts, 2rbs, 0.5stls, 3to's, +2 +/-
23/52 fgs (44%), 8/21 3pts (38%)

Assuming Prather has a "quiet" game, then I think Ware is going to have to score 30 and lead MU from go to wo to take out MVP. Otherwise, if Prather has a another really strong, consistent 20+ pt game, sI till think he would be favourite if MU win.

If 36ers win and Johnson has around 20pts again, think he'll claim it...

Shorter's stats for those playing at home...

14pts, 6rbs, 2.5asts, 2stls, 1to, +25 +/-
22/54 fgs (41%), 4/11 3pts (36%), 7/11 ft's

Stats show that he's been more consistent and more value overall when on the floor compared to Ware across the four games.

The MVP should primarily be decided on who played better in the wins

Plus Casper gets extra points for playing the entire series- since 6 minutes in- at well under 100% fitness.

Casper's not only dealing with a dodgy hip but very questionable refereeing that limited his playing time in Adelaide.

5 50/50 calls for fouls last week. And today subbed off after getting his second foul- both barely made contact with his opponent

Shorter's outplayed Ware this series and DJ probably deserves it for Adelaide and Prather for Melbourne.

Well the diff bw Caspers efforts in win vs loss games all season has shown his value. Grand Final has been same same

Don't think I saw any other key players getting subbed off late in games to pop some pills before re entering?

Would be awesome to get a shock winner like Barlow or Deng,

The last few grand final series has been decided in the decider, I think the last time we had a clear cut winner before the last game was Cedric Jackson

I wouldn't see Barlow or Deng as a shock

Did Barlow injure Ware during a gym session?

Both teams have such even and deep rosters that there really hasn't been one outstanding player this series.
If they judge it on who has been best in their team's wins, Ware has to win it. But he's gone completely missing in both of the losses.
I think it will come down to who of Prather, DJ, Creek and Ware wins the game for their team in Game 5.
Wouldn't be against Ramone Moore winning it, to be honest. He's been exactly what we've needed in big moments this series.

Plus Casper gets extra points for playing the entire series- since 6 minutes in- at well under 100% fitness.

Both teams have had guys step up but the ones who probably make the biggest difference are those who weren't expected to. For that reason, it's got to be either Barlow or Deng. Deng should be in that Boomers Commonwealth Games team over Hodgson, who has been missing in action all year.

No according to LV it's only judged on who performs in Melbourne wins.

I think it is still very open and really will come down to Game 5 performance. The MVP is not necessarily the highest scorer, but the one who has turned the game.

Ware is the obvious choice for United fans to get excited about. Apart from that, the quality drops away when they are put under pressure.

For the Sixers, the field is a little more open.

However, over the series so far, looking at the Index points and the +/-

Melbourne:
Prather: 69 Index, -13
Goulding: 57, -3
Wesley: 52, -22
Boone: 46, -23
Ware: 41, +2
Barlow: 40, +8
Andersen: 35, +36
Hooley: 13, -12
Majok: 10, -5
Adnam: 7, -10
SmithMilner: 5, -18

Based on that, Prather would be the hot favourite, but Andersen is actually pretty impressive.

Sixers:
Creek: 74, 0
Johnson: 67, +49
Deng: 67, +21
Shorter: 59, +25
Moore: 53, -15
Sobey: 47, -10
Childress: 24, +17
Drmic: 23, -24
Hodgson: 12, -14
Doyle: 1, +4
Teys: 0,-3
Larkins: 0,0

Based on that, I would say Creek is currently leading all players, BUT, the fact that Johnson is +49 on his +/- shows how important his performances have been.

My Top 5:
Johnson
Creek
Prather
Shorter
Goulding

Honorable mentions: Deng, Andersen

If Melbourne wins - it will be Prather, Ware or Goulding - whoever plays the best in Game 5

Adelaide - I would think Johnson leading would be the favourite atm

William Hill's odds:

Ware $3
Prather $4
Creek $6
DJ/Goulding $7
Shorter/Moore $17
Deng/Wesley $26
Boone/Sobey $34

Boone would've slipped dramatically from before the series!

Ignoring stats, I think Wesley and Creek have been absolutely key for their teams. Wesley's blocks have been almost a story in themselves.

Well I doubt DJ can win it now.... Lemanis is on the panel deciding the MVP